Population & Geography
Laos has a population of 7,061,507 spread across 236,800 km², giving it an average density of 29.8 people per km².
Population Density Map
Demographics
Population Trends
How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.
Economy & Cost of Living
Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Laos is classified as a lower middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 22% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here: accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.
Tourism
Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 3.5% of Laos's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.
Health & Safety Infrastructure
Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available In Laos there are 0.33 doctors per 1,000 people, which is well below the global average of 1.7. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended.
Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure
Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Laos, 64% of the population uses the internet: WiFi is easy to find in cities and tourist areas, but coverage may be patchy in rural regions. There are 65 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.
Source: World Bank Open Data